Shake-up in antenatal classes

Midwives will no longer run Worcestershire antenatal classes under changes announced by hospital bosses.

National Childbirth Trust teachers will lead classes, including those at Woodbury Children's Centre, Kidderminster.

The National Childbirth Trust blamed changes on financial problems but Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, today said it wanted to use its midwives to concentrate on delivering babies due to a recent staff shortage through sickness.

There will now be one class of up to three hours instead of several shorter classes in the run up to delivery.

Classes will have fewer people and will concentrate on particular parts of child birth and care.

Changes are initially for a six-month trial period from March to September. Trust bosses are also considering having a virtual tour of Royal Worcestershire Hospital delivery rooms on its website.

Women and their partners regularly visit the hospital for tours but are unable to see much because delivery suites are in constant use.

Trust spokeswoman Janet Marie Clark said: "The move is not driven by financial troubles. We are maximising our resources because of recent sickness among midwives left us short staffed. We want our midwives to concentrate on delivering babies.

"We're also responding to feedback we've had from women who have previously used our service."